Morning Activities, First Arrivals

[daycare]

Not sure if this has been covered before, however, this morning for the first time since this client has been here in over a year, I was asked why I don't have a morning activity set up at 7:25am. Also, I don't open until 7:45, I just open earlier for this one family, so I am still setting up when they arrive.
I have the kids participate in free choice play. Always have.



How many of you have a morning activity set up? If so, what is it?
What do you guys offer for the kids to do first thing in the morning.
Tv, games, free choice???

I was a little taken back this morning by DCM. I think mostly because they have been here over a year and they are just now speaking up about it?????

[WImom]

I just have free choice since I open at 7:00 and breakfast is at 7:30. I'm usually making breakfast and greeting arrivals.

I wouldn't expect you to have something that early.

[Blackcat31]

I have 3 choices of activities for the kids to do until EVERYONE arrives and we begin our normal routine. I switch up the 3 activities every so often to prevent boredom.

[pootmcgoot]

Wow. She sounds rude!

[jojosmommy]

My dck read books until everyone arrives and starts breakfast. Everyday. Some read 5 min others longer, all depends on the sched that am. Keeps them from getting too loud while my kids are still sleeping and keeps them out of my dh's face early.

[spud912]

Ditto with pp, I have free play so I can get breakfast ready. The kids have activities all day here, so the free play time in the morning and afternoon is important IMO.

[daycare]

I have 3 choices of activities for the kids to do until EVERYONE arrives and we begin our normal routine. I switch up the 3 activities every so often to prevent boredom.

thanks BC for responding......what are the activities that you offer...

I do have my centers that are always out, but I do not allow for them to be used in the early morning hours before breakfast. WAY too much going on with trying to meet and greet as well as cooking breakfast.

Yeah i thought it was a little rude, but at the same time I guess some what valid.....

[daycare]

My dck read books until everyone arrives and starts breakfast. Everyday. Some read 5 min others longer, all depends on the sched that am. Keeps them from getting too loud while my kids are still sleeping and keeps them out of my dh's face early.

same here. I have all of the basic toys out, books, color books/ crayons and legos.

[saved4always]

At opening, we have breakfast (if the kids brought it) and free play. We don't have any group activities like circle time until about 9 a.m. when most children will have arrived. IMO, it would be difficult for you to do an activity while new arrivals are being dropped off. Free play is not a bad thing at all. Children need to be able to entertain themselves and don't need everything to be scheduled. I don't understand why some parents think it is a bad thing if their children are not directed in what to do all the time.

Does this family realize you are opening early for them? If so, I don't know why they would think that your group activities would be started before you are officially open and before any of the other children arrive. :confused: Maybe you should "remind" them that your official opening is at 7:45 so any activities are set up and done sometime after that time.

[saved4always]

Ditto with pp, I have free play so I can get breakfast ready. The kids have activities all day here, so the free play time in the morning and afternoon is important IMO.

This is how we are...early morning and late afternoon, when most drop offs and pick ups are done, are our free play times. When most kids are at the center is when directed activities are done.

[Blackcat31]

thanks BC for responding......what are the activities that you offer...

I do have my centers that are always out, but I do not allow for them to be used in the early morning hours before breakfast. WAY too much going on with trying to meet and greet as well as cooking breakfast.

Yeah i thought it was a little rude, but at the same time I guess some what valid.....

Books are one activity in one corner, another activity are the giant duplo blocks and the other choice is plastic animals and the rug with zoo trails and stuff on it.

The activites I put out are group activities and require little or no supervision from me.

I rotate them up now and then but the activities are all things that require little supervision and lots of fun for the kids.

[cheerfuldom]

I wouldnt worry about her comments.

My first arrives here at 730 but that is an hour before the rest of them come. We do nothing special. She plays on her own and when the other kids show up, we head outside.

[daycare]

I wouldnt worry about her comments.

My first arrives here at 730 but that is an hour before the rest of them come. We do nothing special. She plays on her own and when the other kids show up, we head outside.

I don't think her comment bothered me as much as it surprised me. It took a year for her to either notice, care or to build the courage to say something....

I don't intend to change how I do things, but will tell mom WHY I have to do things the way that I do them once again.... But that's ok. It's how things go.

[MizzCheryl]

My activity would be lay down a cot till 8:00am

[SilverSabre25]

Free play here...no need for structured activities every hour of the day!